This might be Reid Carrico’s first season at West Virginia University, but it’s not his first experience with West Virginia.
Growing up just minutes from the Ohio-West Virginia border, he’s had the chance to feel some of that Mountaineer spirit that has crossed the Ohio River into the Buckeye State. Now, after three years in the Ohio State football program, he’s part of WVU’s linebacker corps. And while the landscape may be different, Carrico is trying to bring the same toughness to the Mountaineers.
His next chance comes Saturday when the Mountaineers (3-4, 2-2 Big 12) visit Arizona (3-4,1-3 Big 12) for a 7 p.m. matchup (FS1).
Carrico grew up in Ironton, Ohio, just across the Ohio River from Huntington. He grew to a top 100 recruit and the No. 4 overall recruit in Ohio before committing to Ohio State. He spent three years with the Buckeyes, playing in 21 games but struggled to crack the linebacker rotation. In looking for a new home, he happened upon WVU, which had become the football home to several people from his neck of the woods, like offensive linemen Wyatt Milum, Bryce Biggs and Doug Nester and receiver Graeson Malashevich.
“When you’ve got people that you already know, I was excited to play with guys that I’m familiar with,” Carrico said. “It really wasn’t a crazy transition at all. You know, a lot of my family has roots here in West Virginia, just naturally from being so close to it.”
Carrico has noticed the differences between WVU and Ohio State. It’s more than just the lay of the land, moving from the flatter terrain of Columbus to the mountains of Monongalia County. The programs themselves are different. At Ohio State, he said, there was a larger concentration of physical marvels that sat atop the national recruiting rankings. He sees West Virginia as more of a “developmental” program, where new players who arrive may need a season or two to get their feet underneath them and contribute on the field.
In terms of team culture, though, the two programs are very similar.
“As far as from a culture standpoint, and having a close team and team camaraderie, there hasn’t been really any difference. At West Virginia, we have a close team, like we did at Ohio State, and that was appealing to me, and that’s why I’m here.”
Carrico has inserted himself quickly into WVU’s defensive rotation. He has played in six of the Mountaineers’ seven games this season, missing West Virginia’s win over Kansas. He has recorded 16 tackles so far, after never recording more than three in a season with the Buckeyes.
The redshirt junior was named WVU’s defensive champion in its win over Albany, finishing with four solo tackles and his first career tackle for a loss. He also earned the team’s “Juice” award following a two-tackle performance against Oklahoma State.
Defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley lauded Carrico this week in several areas, including his veteran presence and his physical play.
“Just how he plays, his effort, his toughness, he’s been a really nice addition for us,” Lesley said. “He just gives us kind of an edge when he’s in there, especially in some of those bigger sets. We put him in multiple positions. He’s been in the middle. We saw him on the edge the other night, some giving us some pressure against some of those bigger sets, which he’s really, really good at. He’s done a nice job.”
Carrico has used his time in his new program to gain a deeper understanding of the game in a different environment. He loves football and loves learning more about it. And with that love, he doesn’t shy away from some of the grittier jobs on the team, like special teams. He has two special teams tackles already this year.
“As a linebacker, you have to be able to play special teams,” he said, “It’s kind of non-negotiable in my opinion. At my last school, most of my opportunities came on special teams, so I don’t shy away from that. That’s kind of part of who I am as a football player. So any role that they have for me on special teams where it can help us win a game, I’ll do it.”
– story by Derek Redd
